Monday, April 27, 2009

In 2006 or maybe 2007, I bought a BOM quilt from Joann's called "Tuscan Sun". I remember really liking it and budgeting my coupons and a few of the Mama's (DD) to get it for less than the posted price. I was in the middle of something else at the time, so of course, packed it away and promptly forgot all about it. After cutting out all those 2 1/2" squares and the half square triangles for the Chiclet quilt, I thought it might be nice to sew something that is pre cut, plus not the same block over and over.

I dug in my overflowing sewing room closet and found the BOM's waiting patiently for me. Shocker..........my first look at the picture on the top package made me wonder if that was really it? Did I really want/buy this quilt? Why??? It is not exactly made from colors that I would choose, and the lay out is not my usual traditional block. What in the world will I do with it when it is finished?

Do you think that while it sat smoldering in my closet that it changed into something different than what I bought? Did the colors redo themselves into something I don't recognize? Strange, now I understand when I read about quilter's saying that they find they don't like their older stash fabric. Something in the quilter changes but who knows what makes that happen. How can you love it enough to bring it home and then after you don't look at it for a while, your opinion of it changes? Guess the answer is use it while you still love it!

Anyway, here is block one and it is very subdued compared to some of the others. Hmmm, do you think it might grow on me again? I sure hope so because I have it, I paid quite a bit for it and I am making it. Not sure where we will go from there.

I would put a picture of block two on here except it is in pieces. After I had it all put together, carefully lining everything up, I discovered I had mixed up the two greens and had to take the whole thing apart again. Note to Norma, the pictures in the illustrations are TINY and it is not a good idea to try and sew at midnight!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Where have I been? Good question! I have been right here but for some reason, could not think of much to say. Now for me that is a RARE thing!

I did some treasure shopping last week. These came from Half Priced Books. They are the wonderful Australian quilt magazines, "Patchwork and Quilting". Believe me when I say our quilting magazine publishers could learn something from the Australian sewing industry. They have such wonderful designs. Now these come under the heading of "oldie but goodie". They are 1998, 99 and 2000 issues but are complete with the very detailed center pull out section with patterns, directions and templates. I paid 50 cents a piece and have enjoyed them so much. Talk about eye candy, these are wonderful.

The Chiclet top is done, has been done for a while. I have said before that each quilt is a journey and this is no exception. I do love it though, each and every not so beautiful scrap of fabric was placed with love. Too, my quilt inspector, Princess Paris has given it her stamp of approval and what more do you need?

The tomatoes are growing so well, there are almost twenty on this one plant. We have had a cool spring and everything thrived. However, the big question is will they survive to make it to the dinner table. The problem with growing things here in the "Valley of the Sun", is that it gets hot really fast. So fast that the plants get major stressed and it just takes a few hours for the whole thing to die. I have stood and watched cucumbers just shrivel up and die from the heat. It is supposed to be 95 today and I think it is time to put the shade cloth on the top of the frames my great white hunter built this winter. Cross your fingers for my tomatoes please!

These are the white roses outside our front door. They are doing wonderful! They are not my favorite but were planted and mature when we bought the house so there they stay for now. I would be much happier with a blast of color there but you can't be unhappy with this mass of roses! I keep wondering why the people we bought the house from would plant white roses??? Must have been a good reason at the time.

This bush has little pink tea roses and is in the back yard. It was also here when we bought the house, along with two others. There were huge trees in our neighbors backyard just behind the fence and our flower beds were really shady and it was hard to keep things growing there. They cut down the trees to put in a swimming pool and things have done much better in our flower beds. I do miss those beautiful trees and the wall they put between the two houses.

Not feeling very productive here but apparently there has been activity in my life even though I was not writing about it.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

I received this in a email from my DIL's mom today. It brought back many a loving memory of my beloved Grandma and my Aunt Cora, who was in all sense of the word, a grandmother to me. Each morning, they put on their house dress, cotton stockings and a bib type apron to cover the dress. They used their new aprons on Sunday until they were needed for everyday use. These ladies used these aprons exactly like it says.........and all these years later I remember the smell of starch in them when I was grabbed for a hug.

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids today even know what an apron is, so let me explain.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was, of course, to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.

Folks would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - except love.

I would love to give credit to the author but I do not know who it was so all I can do is say thank you for bringing those two ladies to mind on a windy April day. I miss them both.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

NOTE: I have just heard from Carol in Canada. Flat Stanley has arrived, safe and sound. Oh, don't I wish he could tell the story of this part of his journey! Thanks, Carol and family for opening your home to him!

I have lost Flat Stanley. In reality, the US Postal Service has lost Flat Stanley but I know they are not going to take responsibility for it so guess it falls on my shoulders. I raised three children, took care of my grand children, worked with first graders for 15 years, have had dogs, cats and birds..........and NEVER lost anyone but Flat Stanley is out there somewhere.

My dear friend Carol and her family in Canada offered to host Flat Stanley for my grandson, Colin's kindergarten class. The teacher thought it was a wonderful idea and sent another Flat Stanley, a travel log and letter home with Colin. He colored him, added a light saber in one hand and a apple in the other, cut off his feet for some reason, that he refused to share, and brought it to me to mail. I put it in a Priority mail folder from the PO and mailed it on March 25. It was not cheap travel fare for a someone made from paper, believe me! So it has been well over a week and he has still not arrived. I am afraid the immigration folks at the border are holding him in a cell somewhere because of the light saber!!! Carol and her family have been on the look out and have made plans for his visit but so far, he is a no show.

We had a family get together for our oldest son's (#1) birthday yesterday and I mentioned that Flat Stanley was lost and did the Momma (DD) think she could get another one? The great white hunter son #2, looked me right in the eye and said, "Mom, how could you lose Flat Stanley?" It sounded like it was all MY fault! I explained what happened but I think they still all think I lost him.

So Flat Stanley, if you are out there between Arizona and Canada, would you please phone home????

Friday, April 3, 2009

I read on Kristie's blog that her friend Lisa was having a give away for a lovely quilt. I just had to go see what it was all about and threw my hat in the ring. I didn't win the quilt but she sent out prizes to TWO others, and mine arrived the other day.

I have never had a Moda charm pack or any of the precut things they offer so this is fun. It is a selection of fabrics that I am not sure I would buy for myself but I love them. So I am looking at patterns and dreaming about what I can do with this lovely gift! I have got to say that it is so much fun to open that mail box and find a package in there that you don't know what it contains! Makes the rest of the day pretty special. Thanks again Miniature Quilter and Kristie for sending me to her friend's blog.

Chiclet quilt top is all done except to sew a few rows together........picture soon. Yeah! I was not sure it was going to happen with out the quilt police coming in and tying me down!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

This is so me. Now, I would not choose those colors but the description of who I am is right on. Kind of scary.............What does it say about you?

Your rainbow is intensely shaded red, brown, and indigo.

What is says about you: You are a deep thinking person. You appreciate cities, technology, and other great things people have created. Friends count on you for being honest and insightful. You get bored easily and want friends who will keep up with you.

I have chained myself to the sewing machine to finish the "Chiclet" quilt top. I got about 3/4 done and had to really fight the urge to move on to something else. What is with that? You would think being that close to a finish would be motivation to keep with it. I had a long talk with myself, have all the blocks done, and have it laid out on the floor to sew the rows together. Bonus is this has the border already on!

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My recipes are there for you to use and enjoy. They are not original by a long shot so I don't even expect you to give me credit if you use them. However, it would be a nice thing to do and would make me smile.